7
Disclaimer: This, and a few more chapters, will contain mentions of Desna's White Sea and some of the Pradesh family. I might be using one or two characters of the Pradesh family, but I am not sure yet. The White Sea guild and Pradesh family belong to Desna and I am using these names with her now, permission!
Now, for my cute little readers;
While this story isn't popular or really liked, I am continuing with it for the sake of those, who are following it and to set the first stones for my OC's and to create a draft of the Fairy Tail map for myself and my future stories. Me poking, creating and experimenting is the reason why there are so much conversations and it evolves so slowly. I humbly apologize for that! Currently I am planning to end this with 10 to 12 chapters and start with another idea I have been playing around. Thank you again to everyone, who's given this a try and now, let's get on with Chapter 7! :D
The port of Shawa was busier than usual, the main reason for that being ships, loaded with magic weapons, supplies, mages from other countries, who had come to support the ones already assembled. Amelia recognized some of the arriving mages from previous missions or her travels. Different guild crests were printed on mages, clothes and some even had brought banners with their guild marks. Large posters with instructions for the arriving mages were filling the streets and Amelia, alongside her companions, stopped at one of them to see what means they had to reach the border.
-Let's see. Minstrels military aircraft, train, magic vehicle, army vehicles, carriage, walk...Who, in their right mind, would walk all the way to the border?- Bickslow snorted.
-The ones stationed at the nearside of it. It's only a two day walk and it leaves more spaces in the transport for those travelling further.- Freed and answered and the Seith mage grimaced. He hated when Freed was acting as the uptight prick, he sometimes could be.
-We will go with the military aircraft. It's the only one, which straightly goes to the central location.- Amelia pointed out and turned to the direction of the airfield.
-Isn't that the main camp?- Evergreen asked and the Soul mage nodded.
-Wait, you were stationed in the main camp, the main breach force?- Bickslow asked. A large thick mark appeared on Amelia's forehead, as her fist connected to the Seith mages head.
-Do you guys even listen? I told you that, when we were in the train!-
Three pairs of confused eyes looked at her in the same time and Amelia face palmed. How was she supposed to get these monkeys through this war, when their attention span was equal to a toddlers?
As they reached the military aircraft, they were greeted by a very familiar face, at least familiar to the Thunder God tribe?
-What are you three doing here?- a very confused male asked. The only warning he got, before the trio nearly crushed him, was a loud "Laxus!" from Freed. Amelia observed the scene from the side with interest. So this was the same Laxus Dreyar, she had heard about just the day before. Amelia had to admit that the man looked rather intimidating with his massive physique.
-Oi, stop it!- the blonde male tried to push the three crying idiots away as they were causing a scene and drawing too much attention.
-How about you postpone molesting the man until we board the ship?- Amelia asked. while it was highly amusing to watch the large man struggling, she really didn't want to take the train since it would delay them by a great deal and Amelia really didn't like to be delayed.
It was the first time Laxus noticed the female and he had wonder at how he had missed the impressive woman.
-Everyone, board now! The ship is leaving in five minutes! There will be no other ship after this! Everyone, board now...- the few soldiers were shouting and the group released the lightning mage and moved towards the bridge. After identifying themselves, the group was led to a small lounge.
-Please, restrain yourself from wandering around the ship and entering any restricted areas. The flight will be only a few hours long and there are drinks and some ration bars on the table. I apologize for the limitations, but that is all we have to offer at the moment.- the soldier, leading them explained and, with a final bow, left the five mages.
The few hours were pretty mush spent with Laxus and the Thunder tribe catching up, although, the lightning mage kept glancing at the woman, who was rather engrossed in a large scroll.
-Amelia, what are you doing?- Freed asked, noticing finally that the woman haven't joined in any of their conversations.
-Reading.-
-We can see that, but what are you reading?-Bickslow asked with a sweat drop.
-A scroll.-
-And what's in the scroll?- the Seith mage asked with a mild annoyance.
-Words.-Amelia replied grinning behind the paper. She had learned a while ago, that it was too much fun to tease Bickslow. The mans patience was the size of an ant and Amelia had already burned it's legs.
-And what do those words say?-he asked near panic.
-Information.-
-ARE YOU SERIOUS?-the Seith yelled, finally loosing the last bit of his patience. Amelia and Evergreen erupted in a laughing fit, while Freed got a sudden coughing fit and Laxus was openly chuckling.
-Looks like you found an equal, Bix.- the Lightning Slayer said getting a dirty look from his friend.
-That's not funny, this fury is getting under and above my skin at every chance she gets. Demon of a woman.-
-Aww, you like it and you know it! I mean, weren't you the one, who was telling the guild that you like it dirty?- Amelia asked giving him the most innocent look she had. Freed choked on his saliva and Evergreen looked at her, mouth wide open.
-Have you been drinking behind that paper, Soul?-Bickslow asked and walked up to her. He walked around her in circles trying to find any hidden stash, because he was sure the woman wasn't in her mind to be saying blunt things like this.
-I haven't been drinking!.- she laughed, swatting his hand away, which was about to search her.
-I'm just trying to get over your sob stories. Don't misunderstand, I know you guys have much to talk about and have a many of regrets and things to be solved but what is done is done and time cannot be turned back. Look forward if you want to solve your problems, there will be no answers in the past.-
-While I agree with you, I can't understand why would someone, I don't know meddle in our things. Who exactly are you?- Laxus asked, irritation clearly showing.
-Finally getting to introductions, huh? I am Amelia Redcliff, mage of Fairy Tail and these three just happen to be on my friends list. Don't mind what I said, it wasn't meant to be an offense. It's just that we are heading towards a potential war zone and I rather see you three smiling than gloomy before that.- she replied in a gentle tone and the blonde male relaxed. She wasn't a threat and he understood what she meant.
-Well, how about a hand of cards than?-Bickslow asked, already shuffling a deck. Amelia noticed that the back of them had prints of different pin-up models and she could swear that Mira's image slid through his hands.
-Can't, it seems that we are here.- Freed answered, looking through the window. All mages followed his gaze and the view was shocking. Thousands of people moved around, preparing for the war. They could see some soldiers unloading a large vehicle, obviously, containing stacks of magic weapons. Troop commanders were were gathering their man in organized groups. While they didn't hear and properly see what was happening, they could only guess that the commanders were explaining their position and tactics in the battle.
They all kept quiet while the aircraft landed, too busy observing their surroundings. While they didn't want to admit it, the Thunder God tribe and even Laxus himself, were feeling quite uneasy, not sure what to expect and what will be the outcome. Amelia, on the other hand,scanned the people, whom she now could analyze better, as they were close enough to see their faces. The Soul mage already noticed several people, she knew and was rather surprised to see some Fiorans.
-So many people.- Evergreen finally breathed and Freed nodded in response, while Bickslow remained frozen, eyes fixed on a certain white uniform.
-Would be a surprise if White Sea wouldn't send their mages here.-Laxus said as he noticed where the Seith mage was looking.
-Yeah, it would.- Bickslow replied automatically, his mind traveling somewhere else.
-Let's go.- Amelia nudged him quietly as the com announced that they all should move towards the exit.
As they stepped out of the aircraft, they were greeted by the mess, which always occurred within large groups of people, especially if the group was exposed to stress and consisted of members from different cultures, beliefs and statuses, where the display of status was the first they saw. A young mage was nervously fidgeting under the gaze of a wealthy looking young man, who had his nose as high as it allowed him to see and was pointing at a small, burned spot on his perfectly clean cape.
-Do you have any idea who I am?- the wealthy looking one asked and the young mage shook his head. It was obvious that he was terrified, thinking how to get out of this mess.
-Let me guess, you're a small dipshit, who thinks he owns the place and is gonna run or hide, when the main battle starts. How about you go play some games, or somethin', kid?- Laxus asked, enjoying how the wealthy kids eyes nearly popped out from their sockets from shock.
-How dare you?- he asked in high pitched voice, puffing out his chest like a golden turkey.
-Same like I'm gonna dare to knock you on yer ass, punk!- a gruff voice said and they all saw an older mage approaching, with silver lines coloring strands of his hair. He was a handsome man, tall with brushed back, shoulder length hair, a firm face and strong jawline. He glanced at the wealthy man with a piercing look, making the people around shudder and the kid to shake in fear.
-Yer father sent you here to make you a man, but I only see some trembling bird, I might make for dinner. If ye don't want me to send you home as an embarrassment, than you will be starting the first lap of thirty around the entire camp, right now!-
-R-r-right...Sir!-the wealthy kid squealed and they watched as he started his laps, tripping and falling over his own feet.
-Marco, it's been a while.- Amelia said and the an grinned.
-Too long, pup!-
-Don't call me like that! I'm not ten anymore!- she answered with a thick mark.
-I can see that! Oi, if ya have time to look at a woman's ass, than you have time to unload those crates!- he shouted at some young man behind the group. Of course they all gasped and rushed to do the order.
-Anyone's gonna introduce us?- Bickslow asked stepping forward.
-Why, you her boyfriend?- the man asked narrowing his eyes. The Seith noticed the change and and quickly stopped just before dropping an arm around Amelia's shoulders.
-No, his my guildmate. Guys, this is Sir Marco Marcius, one of the Minstrels seven knights and also my mentor.-
-Ya have some questions but the answers will have ta wait. We first have ta deal with yer paperwork and than assign you to a unit, so follow me to the blue tent. We can talk later, I'm curious how pup has been doing these years.- Marco said, as they started walking towards a large blue tent, decorated with a large Minstrels Kingdom crest. It was a beautiful piece of work, with hand made gold carving around it's edges and a turquoise harpy with spread wings and holding in her mouth a silver scale. The crest represented how just how serious minstrelians obeyed and valued justice. It really was no surprise when their military were setting up camps near the border on the same day, they had found the few slaves.
After filling the required paperwork, which consisted of a few questions and a brief introduction and welcome, Amelia, Laxus and the Thunder tribe were placed in the second frontal unit, which consisted of three squads and would pass the border from the left side. Amelia found it quite amusing that the unit leader was Marco and her squad leader would be a man named Teb, whom she knew as a thief and had personally escorted to prison four years ago. Currently the group was sitting in Marco's personal tent with a few bottles of Minstrels finest ale and a some stories to share, the first one being about Teb.
-The boy was transferred to Minstrel prison two years ago by his families request. His mama thought that, since he is minstrelian, he should be judged as one. At the hearing it showed out that he'd done what he'd done to help his family, a poor mother with six kids and two daughters to marry. Teb didn't want his sisters to stay unmarried because they were poor, so, after he couldn't find a proper job, the lad started stealing. The High Court took his story in consideration and the lad was sentenced to work his prison time in the army, however, he started likin' it and soon enough started making a carrier. So here he is now, Second Attack units, first troops leader, Teb!-
-I see. now that's a twist of fate, but I'm glad he got on the right path.- Amelia said with a gentle smile. She always loved when people changed their path to the light one.
-I bet ya are! Ya showered the boy in yer light, he told me, still says that he never has been through something so beautiful, terrifying and painful.- Marco answered, taking a huge swing from his bottle. the man had never bothered with mugs.
-If I may ask, what is your connection with Amelia?- Evergreen asked.
-A beautiful woman can always ask!- Marco said, making the Fairy mage blush.
-This old man was my mentor, when I was young. Marco was also the one, who taught me how to control my magic power and got me into the Citadel of Teachings in Conna town, where I learned my current magic.-
-I just now start to realize that we don't know much about you.- Bickslow said.
Their conversation, however, was cut short by the alarm bell ringing.
-So it begins.- Marco said as he took a last swing from his bottle under the tune of the first explosion.